Hoist mechanism for outboard motors



Nov. 14, 1961 Filed May 16, 1960 MIME/V701? fOM/APD A/ 501/7 WW W United States Patent 3,008,444 HOIST MECHANISM FOR OUTBOARD MOTORS Edward N. Bovy, 5808 Russell Ave. S.,

Minneapolis, Minn. I Filed May 16, 1960, Ser. No. 29,481 5 Claims. (Cl. 115--41) This invention relates to hoist apparatus for use with boats and more particularly to hoist apparatus for use in tilting transom-mounted outboard motors between a lower operative position and elevated inoperative position.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel hoist apparatus, of simple and inexpensive construction, for use in tilting transom-tiltable outboard motors between lower operative and elevated inoperative positions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved hoist apparatus for use in tilting transommounted tiltable outboard motors between lower operative and elevated inoperative positions and which is adjustable to permit ready use thereof with outboard motors of any size.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved hoist apparatus for use in tilting transom-mounted tiltable outboard motors between lower operative and elevated inoperative positions and which is arranged and constructed to serve as a rear bumper for a boat.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved hoist apparatus for use in tilting transom-mounted tiltable outboard motors between lower operative and elevated inoperative positions and which includes a frame construction having a ready c'onnectible means for connecting a ski-tow rope thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of this in vention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of my invention shown mounted on the transom of a boat; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective of my invention.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment of my novel hoist mechanism, designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10, is shown mounted on "a boat transom T of a boat B. Boat B is of conventional construction and is provided with an outboard motor M which is pivotally mounted on the transom T by an attachment bracket A so that motor M will pivot about a pivot pin P. Outboard motor M is of conventional construction and includes a vertically disposed drive shaft housing H.

My novel hoist mechanism 10 includes a support frame 11 which as seen in FIG. 1 is detachably secured to the rear surface of the transom T and extends rearwardly therefrom. Pulley support frame 11 is comprised of a .U-shaped member 12 which is formed of a suitable rigid metallic material such as steel or the like and which is and it will be noted that each of the leg portions 14 is provided a locking pin 16 which serves to adjustably lock the extension elements 15 in an adjusted position relative to their respective leg portions 14 when the openings in each of these elements are arranged in registering relation so that the pin can pass therethrough.

The free end portion of each of the extension elements 15 is slotted as at 17. Attachment plates 18 are each provided with a lug 19 extending therefrom and each lug is received within slotted end 17 of one of the extension elements 15 and secured thereto by a pin 20. Attachment plates 18 are provided with a plurality of openings therein through which attachment means such as bolts or the like will pass for securing the same to the rear surface of transom T.

Pulley support frame 11 also includes a plurality of brace members 22 each of which is comprised of a pair of elongate telescopic sections 23 and 24 respectively. Referring again to FIG. 2, it will be seen that each of the sections 23 is provided with an opening 25 while the elongate section 24 is provided with a plurality of openings 26 therein. Each of the brace members 22 is also provided with a pin 27 and each of these pins is suitably carried by one of the sections 23 and serves to lock the respective sections of each brace in its adjusted position.

The free end of each of the sections 23 is slotted as at 28 and these slotted ends are pivotally connected to lugs 29 which are aifixed in spaced apart relationship to' the bight portion 13 of U-shaped member 12 by a pivot pin 30. It will also be noted that a free end of each of the sections 24 is also slotted as at 31 and each of the slotted ends 31 receives a lug 33 of an attachment plate 32 and each of these slotted ends is secured to its associated lug by a pivot pin 34. Plate 32 is also provided with a plurality of openings through which suitable securing means such as bolts will pass and which permit the brace to be readily attached to the transom T of boat B. Thus it will be seen that brace members 22 are pivotally connected to the U-shaped member 12 and are also pivotally connected to their attachment preferably chrome plated to resist corrosiveeffects of lic material and each of which has one end thereof telescopically received Within one of the end portions 14. Each of these extension elements is provided with a plurality of openings 15a therein as best seen in FIG. 2,

plates 32 while the extension elements 15 of U-shaped member 12 are pivotally connected to their associated attachment plates. It will also be seen that both the U-shaped member and the brace members are longitudinally extensible so that the general overall length of the pulley support frame may be varied.

' My novel hoist mechanism 10 also includes a pair of pulley s35 each of which is secured to the bight portion 13 of U-shaped member 12 by a universal connection 36. It will be noted that pulleys 35 are positioned in spaced apart relationship and support an elongate flexible cable 37. This cable 37 is trained over pulleys 35 in a manner to define a looped portion 38 which as seen in FIG. 1,, extends around and engages the lower front forward portion of the drive shaft housing H of motor M. The portions of cable 37 which extend from one side of motor M is designated by the reference numeral 39 while the portion of the cable which extends from the other side of motor M is designated by the reference numeral 40. It will be seen that each portion of the cables 39 and 40 is trained over pulleys positioned adjacent of opposite sides of the motor and portion 40 is connected to portion 39 as at 42. Portion 39 thereafter continues and terminates with an end thereof being secured thereto and wound upon a reel 43. Reel 43in the embodiment shown is provided with a hand crank 44 and is suitably mounted so that rotation of the hand crank will cause corresponding rotation of the reel 43. Rotation of the reel 43 will cause the cable 39 to be wound upon the reel when the crank 44 is rotated in one direction and will Permit the 3 cable to be unwound from the reel when the crank is rotated in the opposite direction.

If, for example, the motor M is positioned in a lower operative position as illustrated in full lines of FIG. 1, and it is thereafter desirable to elevate the motor to an elevated position as indicated by the dotted line configuration of FIG. 1, the crank 44 is rotated thus causing the cable to be wound upon the reel 43. When tension is progressively increased or a pull is exerted upon the cable, then the particular manner in which the cable is arranged will cause the motor to be tilted about its axis of pivot P. The pulleys 35 are positioned rearwardly of the vertical drive shaft housing H of the outboard motor and the loop portion of cable 37 extend downwardly and around the housing so that when the cable is tightened, the motor will be readily raised. It will be noted that because of my unique arrangement, -a large mechanical advantage is obtained and tiltable type motors can be readily tilted even with a relatively small size crank and reel structure. Other means for exerting tension on the cable may be employed such as electric motor means or fluid pressure systems.

It will also be noted that when my novel hoist mechanism is mounted on the transom T of a boat, the U-shaped member extends upwardly and rearwardly therefrom. With this arrangement, the maximum of strength is obtained while making the hoist mechanism as compact as possible. When the hoist mechanism is mounted in hoisting relation with respect to an outboard motor, the U-shaped frame will extend around the motor so that the bight portion is positioned rearwardly of and relatively close to the rear surface of the motor. The extensible features of the U-shaped member 12 and the brace members 22 permit my hoist mechanism to be used with any size motors and also to be used on almost any style boat even though the shape and size of the transom may vary.

My novel hoist mechanism is also provided with a U-shaped hook element 45 afiixed to the rear surface of bight portion 13 and this 'U-shaped element provides means for attaching a water ski tow rope to a boat. It should also be pointed out that the pulley support frame while providing support for the pulleys also serves as a guard for the motor M and functions as a rear bumper for the boat.

It will therefore be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a novel hoist mechanism for use with boats and is arranged and constructed to cause ready tilting of the transom mounted outboard type motor moving the same between operative and inoperative positions. It will also be seen that my novel hoist mechanism while being of inexpensive construction, also includes few parts such that there is little occasion for malfunctioning of the apparatus. It will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that my novel hoist mechanism not only serves to provide means for readily moving an outboard type motor from a lower operative to an upper or elevated inoperative position, but that it also functions a a guard for the motor and as a bumper for a boat. It will also be noted that my novel hoist mechanism also provides means for ready attachment of a water ski tow rope to the boat in a manner such that there is little danger of the tow rope from becoming fouled with the motor. Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel hoist mechanism which is not only of unique construction, but is also arranged and constructed to perform a plurality of functions in a manner heretofore unknown and comparable devices.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of this invention which consists of the matter shown and described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Hoist apparatus for use with outboard motors of the tiltable type, said apparatus comprising an adjustable pulley-support frame including an elongate tubular U-shaped member, said U-shaped member including a bight portion and telescopically extensible end portions.

connected to said bight portion, a pair of pulley elements mounted on said bight portion, means for mounting said pulley-support frame on the rear surface of a boat transom such that said U-shaped member will extend around the rear portion of an outboard motor tiltably mounted on the boat transom and said pulleys will be positioned rearwardly of and on opposite sides of the motor, cable means trained over said pulleys and adapted to extend around and engage the lower front portion of the outboard motor and means for progressively increasing and decreasing tension on said cable whereby the outboard motor will tilt about its axis of pivot and thereby move between an elevated inoperative position and a lower operative position.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 and a tow rope attachment hook afiixed to said U-shaped member.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said U-shaped member is disposed in a plane extending upwardly and outwardly from the plane of the boat transom when the former is secured to such a boat transom.

4. Hoist apparatus for use with outboard motors of the tiltable type, said apparatus comprising an adjustable pulley support frame including an elongate tubular U-shaped member, said U-shaped member including a bight portion and telescopically extensible end portions connected to said bight portion, a plurality of elongate brace members secured to said U-shaped member and each including elongate telescopicallyextensible sections, a pair of pulleys mounted on said bight portion, means for mounting said pulley support frame to the rear surface of a boat transom such that said pulleys will be positioned rearwardly of an outboard motor tiltably mounted on such a boat transom, cable means trained over said pulleys and adapted to be looped around the front portion of the motor, and actuating means for progressively increasing and decreasing tension on said cable whereby the outboard motor will be caused to tilt about its axis of pivot for moving said motor between an elevated inoperative position and a lower operative position.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said U- shaped member will lie in a plane disposed in upward and rearward angulated relation to the general plane of the boat transom when the pulley frame is mounted on a boat.

References (Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

